Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos was once an everyday material in military bases and barracks, as well as vehicles. However it was later discovered that asbestos could have deadly and dangerous health consequences. Veterans from all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos and be at the risk of developing mesothelioma and other diseases.
Navy veterans have the highest risk of exposure, due to the asbestos-based construction materials used extensively on Navy ships. Army Veterans who built or repaired ships, motor vehicles, as well as those who repaired them are also at risk.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Asbestos had been a popular material for building materials for decades before its harmful health effects were discovered. Asbestos exposure during the United States military was widespread and many veterans from all branches being exposed to asbestos and developing mesothelioma and other diseases from breathing in asbestos, a dangerous mineral. Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, Boston asbestos lawyers have years of experience helping Army veterans get VA benefits and compensation related to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
The Navy employed asbestos extensively on its ships and submarines during WWII. Navy veterans with a variety of MOSs could have been exposed to asbestos in their sleeping quarters, compartments, and other areas of the ship, as well as in nearby shipyards and construction sites.
Air Force veterans may also have been exposed to asbestos while serving. Asbestos was commonly employed in aircraft, such as fuel systems, rotors and hydraulics. Asbestos was also used to create thermal insulation, fireproofing, gaskets and other gaskets.
Asbestos was frequently present in the work of Navy pipefitters and welding crews. On pipes that run the length of a vessel, asbestos-containing lagging is often used. Welders working in the Navy were often required to remove this lagging prior to making repairs. Navy pipefitters frequently worked with gaskets, seals and insulation. One Navy pipefitter named William Smith developed mesothelioma after suffering from lung cancer due to his exposure to asbestos.
Metal fabricators and steelworkers in the Navy were frequently exposed to asbestos while working in a shipyard or construction sites. Asbestos was used for insulation, fireproofing and as an element of welding. Inhaling asbestos fibers is an extremely dangerous risk for any welding job, particularly when it is wet.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force veterans who worked on motor vehicles or ships were exposed to asbestos as a part of their work. Veterans can concentrate on the treatment they receive for mesothelioma, not worrying about the cost of living. These veterans may be entitled to compensation for mesothelioma caused by negligent asbestos manufacturers. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers and should be accountable for the medical bills of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.
Symptoms
Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have suffered many serious diseases. Exposure to asbestos can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. These illnesses can develop over a time of 20 to 50 years. Fortunately, many veterans who served on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases can receive compensation for asbestos exposure and related health conditions.
The military relied heavily upon asbestos-based products until the 1980s. Asbest was employed in the construction and repair of naval ships by Navy shipyards, as well as Army bases and Coast Guard yards. Navy sailors were especially at risk of exposure. Asbestos was frequently found in boiler rooms and the deck flooring on ships.
Asbestos was also found in the workplaces of military workers who performed other jobs such as insulators or pipefitters. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials like doors, walls and roofs. The Navy used asbestos to create fireproofing.
These harmful substances posed a health threat to servicemen and women even when they were not on the ship or base. When a person inhaled asbestos fibers, they remained in the lungs for long periods of time and caused scarring on the cells of the lungs. Over time, the scarring became so severe that it triggered asbestosis, a lung condition.
Asbestosis is not cancerous, but it however, can trigger other health issues, such as mesothelioma. The disease can take 20 to 50 years to develop following exposure. People who have pleural plaques, which are an asbestosis that is not cancerous could be six to nine times more likely to develop mesothelioma.
Secondhand exposure to asbestos can also trigger mesothelioma particularly if the family member was a worker or military personnel who dealt with asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos can be carried in the air. Asbestos victims carried dangerous asbestos fibers into their homes through their clothes, exposing family members. Secondhand mesothelioma cases usually involve children, spouses, and siblings of those who were exposed to asbestos at work. In these cases, a mesothelioma patient's surviving spouse or child may be eligible for compensation for the asbestos-related disease of their loved one.
Treatment
Patients suffering from mesothelioma have various treatment options to help them manage symptoms, slow the progress of the disease, and prevent complications. This includes chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, as well as immunotherapy. Doctors will often suggest a combination of treatments based on the severity and type of the asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos was used extensively in military bases and ships, aircrafts and vehicles. It was incorporated into drywall as well as cement mixtures, spackling and roofing to fireproof and insulate components. During maintenance and repairs these materials were damaged and put personnel at risk of being exposed.
Marine Corps veterans were exposed asbestos in barracks as well as on naval vessels, during transportation and during their work on vehicles and aircrafts. Asbestos was found in ship insulation, electrical wiring and boiler rooms, as well as engine components and manufactured components like brake pads and clutches. Marines who were mechanics on vehicle-based equipment were at a particular high risk of exposure because of their frequent interactions with asbestos-containing parts.
Because Ogden asbestos attorneys is a flexible and durable material, it was employed to insulate boilers, valves, pipes, cables flooring tiles and ceilings. The properties of insulation as well as its low cost and simple manufacturing made asbestos a perfect material for fireproofing. Asbestos also resists heat, which makes it an ideal material for engine parts such as turbines and engines.
Asbestos has been linked to many diseases such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and mesothelioma pleural are two forms of disease caused by asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the lungs and chest walls.
The asbestos producers responsible for mesothelioma in patients with asbestos-related ailments might be able pay them a financial settlement. The money is used to pay for medical care and other support services. To be eligible for these funds, patients must undergo an extensive process that includes obtaining medical records and important documents. It is essential to seek legal representation for victims of mesothelioma who have suffered the hardships associated with this illness.
VA Benefits
Veterans who suffer from an asbestos-related condition have the right to receive disability benefits and compensation. It can be difficult for veterans to prove that their condition is connected to their military service. Many symptoms are mistakenly interpreted as other conditions, like smoking-related COPD. Veterans need to make a VA claim as soon as they can. A mesothelioma lawyer will help veterans gather evidence to make an effective claim.
Each veteran's exposure to asbestos is unique, but there are certain military branches that were at a higher risk of being exposed to the harmful mineral. The exposure of Navy veterans to asbestos was often the highest because of their work on ships and shipyards. The vessels contained asbestos in many locations, including the engine and boiler room living quarters, as well as aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans were also at risk because they frequently worked with military vehicles and planes that were contaminated with asbestos.
Although asbestos is a natural mineral but it is required to be extracted and processed in order to be used in military. When asbestos is not handled correctly, it can break up and become airborne. These tiny fibers can get into the lungs, abdomen and cause irritation of the membranes that line the chest and stomach. These fibers can cause the tissues of the stomach and chest to become scarred over time. These tumors are referred to as mesothelioma and are the most dangerous asbestos-related cancer.
Other types of asbestos-related illnesses that can develop include respiratory issues like chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). These symptoms are often confused with smoking-related COPD however, it is essential for Veterans to consult a doctor to receive a proper diagnosis.
Many Veterans who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease receive treatment at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is situated just few minutes away from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA may offer financial assistance to Veterans who don't live in the region. This includes the cost of travel and accommodation. Many mesothelioma specialists provide private practice options for patients who do not wish to be seen in a VA facility.